University of Phoenix MSN Program

**traumaRUs** · Jul 17, 2006, 06:42 AM

Re: University of Phoenix MSN Program

I finished my MSN at 46 and yes, it opens up more doors. As to the problem with team projects (not my favorite thing either):

1. Set up ground rules for checking into the board during the first week of class with your other group mates.

2. Divide up the assignment EARLY and ensure everyone knows how many words/pages/references they need to provide. Make sure they know they MUST be within 50 words as this avoids wading through tons of extraneous and useless material.

3. Make sure everyone knows the deadline for submission. Make the deadline date a full 72 hours (at a minimum) prior to the deadline.

4. Assign a team member to be the leader for that project who will be the go-to person.

5. Whoever is editing the final copy, make sure they have a good handle on APA.

6. If there are problems, contact the instructor.

In a few of my classes, I had to work with disagreeable people who had every excuse in the book not to complete their work. In one class, it got to the point where three of us handed in one assignment, while one person handed in another paper. It wasn't pretty.

knittwhit · Jul 19, 2006, 01:32 PM

Re: University of Phoenix MSN Program

Originally Posted by bsweilrn

I would like to use this thread for all of us attending or having attended UofP.
I am going to begin classes in August of this year in the MSN/ED program.
I would love to hear from different people who are in different stages of the program and what they have liked and hated.

Hello Brian and fellow UOP classmates. Congratulations on your decision to pursue your education and choice of UOP. I started the MSN/ED program last October. I am currently in my seventh class. So far I absolutely love the program and the flexibility. I work 4 evening's/week and although the coursework is a bit more time consumptive than I thought it would be I have been able to manage my time fairly well and still have time for a life

I had two major crisis during early classes (deaths of mother and mother in-law within 2 months of one another) and still managed to maintain a 4.0 GPA. Ran into a little snag in one class and ended up with an A- so my GPA is now 3.95.
I had been in a traditional master's program several years ago but had not completed due to moving to another state and not finding a program I could apply my credits toward and still work. I know there are critics who think that the online format is easier, let me assure you, it is not. It is still very hard work and you must have a certain amount of self direction and self discipline. Instead of sitting in a lecture once a week you are actively participating in discussions via message board classrooms on a regular basis. I do love the discussions, the interactive nature of the board and that I am meeting people from all over the country and world. I have been in class with students from Saipan, Canada and the Virgin Islands.
I will continue to monitor this thread and chime in as warranted. Thanks for starting it Bryan!

knittwhit · Jul 19, 2006, 01:40 PM

Re: University of Phoenix MSN Program

Originally Posted by suni

I finished my BSN from UOP last year and have 12 credits towards my MSN. The problem is that at my age, 50, I am not sure I want to continue for my MSN. Also I am not sure what I would want my MSN in that would make me the most marketable.
I loved the UOP program except for the team projects. Any input ?

I chose the education focus. It can be applied to almost any setting and with the push toward Magnet there will be an increased need for nurses in staff development and nurse educator positions. I'm not sure if this is the route I will pursue at the end of my program or if I'll lean more to a traditional academic setting. I know that the teaching elements of the nursing process are what I love most about nursing so that was another reason for my choice. I had some management experience and absolutely hated it, so knew that line of study was out of the question for me

I have had some great experiences with the learning team, thankfully, and some some not so great. I get the point of working in this manner but when you get someone who isn't pulling their weight it makes it a bit difficult.

knittwhit · Jul 19, 2006, 01:43 PM

Re: University of Phoenix MSN Program

Originally Posted by traumaRUs

I finished my MSN at 46 and yes, it opens up more doors. As to the problem with team projects (not my favorite thing either):

1. Set up ground rules for checking into the board during the first week of class with your other group mates.

2. Divide up the assignment EARLY and ensure everyone knows how many words/pages/references they need to provide. Make sure they know they MUST be within 50 words as this avoids wading through tons of extraneous and useless material.

3. Make sure everyone knows the deadline for submission. Make the deadline date a full 72 hours (at a minimum) prior to the deadline.

4. Assign a team member to be the leader for that project who will be the go-to person.

5. Whoever is editing the final copy, make sure they have a good handle on APA.

6. If there are problems, contact the instructor.

In a few of my classes, I had to work with disagreeable people who had every excuse in the book not to complete their work. In one class, it got to the point where three of us handed in one assignment, while one person handed in another paper. It wasn't pretty.

Wow, I haven't encountered one that bad yet. Hopefully I won't! I agree with the guidelines you have outlined. I bet you were frequently a team leader.

macuser555 · Aug 01, 2006, 09:26 PM

Re: University of Phoenix MSN Program

I am seriously considering enrolling in the U of P for the MSN with an education focus. I would love to teach. I have been a nurse for nearly three years, and every time a teaching moment comes up - whether for peers or patients - I love it! I just finished a BA in Psych and work in Behavioral Health - I feel I have found my true niche in nursing.
I would like to hear from a few RNs who have pursued or are pursuing their MSN from U of P.

knittwhit · Aug 02, 2006, 10:18 AM

Re: University of Phoenix MSN Program

Originally Posted by macuser555

I am seriously considering enrolling in the U of P for the MSN with an education focus. I would love to teach. I have been a nurse for nearly three years, and every time a teaching moment comes up - whether for peers or patients - I love it! I just finished a BA in Psych and work in Behavioral Health - I feel I have found my true niche in nursing.
I would like to hear from a few RNs who have pursued or are pursuing their MSN from U of P.

I am completing my seventh class. The time is just flying by. One of the things I love most about the program is its applicability to real world situations. The objective of the class I am in now is to set up a practicum based on a learning contract with my faculty advisor. It was up to me what I wanted for my learning objectives, then set up strategies and ways to measure how I accomplished them. It ends up being a quite complex document. I will be working with a mentor in my facility to do a needs assessment and develop an educational module to enhance care of psychiatric patients in non psych care areas. The regular nursing units are seeing more psych patients with concurrent medical issues and have expressed a level of discomfort to the staff ed coordinator. I think it will be an interesting project. I am going to explore the possibility of getting ceu approval for the module or at least find out what that process entails.

I love the flexibility and challenge of the courses. I have no regrets about having chosen this program. My only regret is that I didn't pursue this sooner. Kudos to you for recognizing your interest in this area and begining the process to higher learning.

*MedSurg32RN* · Aug 02, 2006, 10:39 AM

Re: University of Phoenix MSN Program

I had a BS and completed the MSN Bridge program at UoP. I had to complete 9 undergrad credits. I attended the graduation in Phoenix this past weekend and it was awesome. I didn't have the opportunity to had the education concentration, but have been offered a part time faculty position in a college program with my MSN>

**traumaRUs** · Aug 03, 2006, 06:39 AM

Re: University of Phoenix MSN Program

COngrats Alek - I went to graduation in Phoenix last year for my MSN and you are so right - it was awesome. Congrats on the new job.

military spouse · Aug 17, 2006, 07:44 PM

Re: University of Phoenix MSN Program

Hello!
How many papers and group projects are generally completed during each course? I have only taken the intro class and we only had one of each and I just don't know if I could complete a paper a week or so. Thank you!

jenbea · Aug 18, 2006, 08:25 PM

Re: University of Phoenix MSN Program

I am thinking of starting the RN to MSN in January (I already have BS in non-nursing degree). I just met with an UOP counselor and I still have a few questions. 1) Is it do-able to do the MSN while working full-time? 2) How do people feel about the 6 week classes? Love it or hate it? 3) It's so expensive but the counselor told me I can be done with MSN in about 1 year? Is this true? If so, then paying approx. $28K for MSN for 1 year is worth it. Thanks for any advice and comments you all can offer.

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University of Phoenix MSN Program

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